| GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT NAIL BITING |
Dental, Periodontal/Gingival Damage, Orthodontic
• Tooth Enamel damage and decay - A long-time habit of nail biting may have detrimental effects on the enamel of the front
teeth, promoting tooth decay in these areas according to the American Dental Association.
• Damage to the gums may occur. Fingernail biting is documented as the most common cause of injury to the gingival
tissue (gums). (Academy of General Dentistry) and (Krejci CB. Self-inflicted gingival injury due to habitual fingernail biting.
Journal Periodon.. 2000;71:1029–1031. doi: 10.1902/jop.2000.71.6.1029.)
• Malocclusion - nail-biting can contribute to overbite and other malocclusions, especially if the behavior is chronic and
continues for years. (e.g., Wells, Haines, Williams & Brain, 1999, Woods & Miltenberger, 2001)
• Root resorption - severe nail biting has been associated with shorter than average roots of the teeth in 13-15 year olds due
to excessive pressure placed on the teeth during nail biting. (The European Journal of Orthodontics 1983 5(3):185-188; doi:
10.1093/ejo/5.3.185 © 1983 by European Orthodontic Society).
• Tooth Enamel damage and decay - A long-time habit of nail biting may have detrimental effects on the enamel of the front
teeth, promoting tooth decay in these areas according to the American Dental Association.
• Damage to the gums may occur. Fingernail biting is documented as the most common cause of injury to the gingival
tissue (gums). (Academy of General Dentistry) and (Krejci CB. Self-inflicted gingival injury due to habitual fingernail biting.
Journal Periodon.. 2000;71:1029–1031. doi: 10.1902/jop.2000.71.6.1029.)
• Malocclusion - nail-biting can contribute to overbite and other malocclusions, especially if the behavior is chronic and
continues for years. (e.g., Wells, Haines, Williams & Brain, 1999, Woods & Miltenberger, 2001)
• Root resorption - severe nail biting has been associated with shorter than average roots of the teeth in 13-15 year olds due
to excessive pressure placed on the teeth during nail biting. (The European Journal of Orthodontics 1983 5(3):185-188; doi:
10.1093/ejo/5.3.185 © 1983 by European Orthodontic Society).
Germs, Infections, and Pain
• Paronychia (par a NICK eeya) is the term for inflammation and infection of the skin around the nail. Fingernail biting and
thumb sucking are common causes of paronychia in children. It begins with a painful, red, warm swollen area of skin
around the nail that is often described as “boggy.” This can lead to a pus formation that will separate the skin and the nail.
• Germs - There is no doubt whatsoever that nail biting is a common means of transporting germs directly into the mouth
from the fingers themselves and from the areas under the nails. If we stop to consider all the places children’s fingers
explore, we can easily visualize plenty of undesirable varieties of germs that go into the mouth of nail biters. These germs
are then transported into the digestive system and may find their way into the bloodstream to be further carried throughout
the body.
• Paronychia (par a NICK eeya) is the term for inflammation and infection of the skin around the nail. Fingernail biting and
thumb sucking are common causes of paronychia in children. It begins with a painful, red, warm swollen area of skin
around the nail that is often described as “boggy.” This can lead to a pus formation that will separate the skin and the nail.
• Germs - There is no doubt whatsoever that nail biting is a common means of transporting germs directly into the mouth
from the fingers themselves and from the areas under the nails. If we stop to consider all the places children’s fingers
explore, we can easily visualize plenty of undesirable varieties of germs that go into the mouth of nail biters. These germs
are then transported into the digestive system and may find their way into the bloodstream to be further carried throughout
the body.
Temporomandibular Disorder
• TMJ issues - “jaw” problems such as facial pain or clicking or popping in the area of the temporomandibular joint
(TMJ). Although there are many causes of TMJ pain and disorders and it is sometimes difficult to find the cause(s),
Hughston Sports Medicine Foundation (www.hughston.com) reports that negative oral habits including nail biting are
often the causative factor in younger people with symptoms. This is because nail biting and other noxious oral habits put
the jaw in an abnormal position that results in wear and tear of the TMJ.
• TMJ issues - “jaw” problems such as facial pain or clicking or popping in the area of the temporomandibular joint
(TMJ). Although there are many causes of TMJ pain and disorders and it is sometimes difficult to find the cause(s),
Hughston Sports Medicine Foundation (www.hughston.com) reports that negative oral habits including nail biting are
often the causative factor in younger people with symptoms. This is because nail biting and other noxious oral habits put
the jaw in an abnormal position that results in wear and tear of the TMJ.
how to stop sucking the thumb, everything about thumsuking, Stop thumb sucking, stop thumbsucking, thumb sucking, thumb, thumb sucking devices, iaom
Social and Emotional Consequences
• Work/School/Hobby ramifications – For those who have a persistent nail biting habit, it can interfere with drawing, writing,
typing, and other activities associated with school, work, and hobbies.
• Social – Parents have reported concerns because of social ramifications. Children are sometimes “made fun of” for biting
their nails in public; others are embarrassed about the condition and appearance of their nails; older children and
adolescents may not be given the job or school appointments they want because of unsightly nails. Teenagers and young
adults might be passed over for social events and dating opportunities.
Studies have found that interaction in class as well as participation is affected and limited by sucking behaviors. Some
children enter an almost trance-like state while sucking their thumbs or fingers. In such a state, they are not able to
concentrate on subject matter being presented. Another study found that thumb suckers in first grade were considered less
attractive, less happy, and less likable. And the other children were less likely to choose a thumb sucker for a friend.
(Friman and Schmitt, Thumb Sucking: Pediatricians Guidelines. Clinical Pediatrics 1989) When this is how a first grader is
perceived, it is hard to imagine the damage it can do to the self-esteem of an 8 or 10 year old….or an adult who never
eliminated an oral habit. Although we cannot directly link a study of thumb sucking with other oral habits such as nail biting, it
seems logical that there would be a similar outcome.
• Work/School/Hobby ramifications – For those who have a persistent nail biting habit, it can interfere with drawing, writing,
typing, and other activities associated with school, work, and hobbies.
• Social – Parents have reported concerns because of social ramifications. Children are sometimes “made fun of” for biting
their nails in public; others are embarrassed about the condition and appearance of their nails; older children and
adolescents may not be given the job or school appointments they want because of unsightly nails. Teenagers and young
adults might be passed over for social events and dating opportunities.
Studies have found that interaction in class as well as participation is affected and limited by sucking behaviors. Some
children enter an almost trance-like state while sucking their thumbs or fingers. In such a state, they are not able to
concentrate on subject matter being presented. Another study found that thumb suckers in first grade were considered less
attractive, less happy, and less likable. And the other children were less likely to choose a thumb sucker for a friend.
(Friman and Schmitt, Thumb Sucking: Pediatricians Guidelines. Clinical Pediatrics 1989) When this is how a first grader is
perceived, it is hard to imagine the damage it can do to the self-esteem of an 8 or 10 year old….or an adult who never
eliminated an oral habit. Although we cannot directly link a study of thumb sucking with other oral habits such as nail biting, it
seems logical that there would be a similar outcome.
Function of Fingernails
Most health professionals consider fingernails to be a protection for the sensitive tissues beneath the nails. They enhance the
sensation of the fingertips. The fingertips allow us to receive a lot of information about objects we touch. The nails provide us
with even more sensory input when an object is held between the thumb and the nail of an opposing finger.
Fingernails are used for picking up objects, grasping, gripping, scratching, peeling, pinching, and tweezing. They signify the
health of the person and can attract or repel others. Problems with the color, shape and condition of the nails indicate various
physical ailments.
Speed of Nail Growth
Nails grow an average of one-tenth of an inch per month. This means it takes approximately six months to grow from the cuticle
to the tip. Growth rate is affected by age, amount of exercise, heredity, and season of the year. Nails usually grow faster in the
summer than in the winter. Nails tend to grow faster on the dominant hand.
The longer the digit (finger or toe), the faster the nail grows. That is why fingernails require 3 to 6 months to regrow completely
while toenails take from 12 to 18 months.
If you injure a nail, there is a 21-day delay before it starts to regrow. It takes about 100 days for the speed of growth to normalize.
The nail will grow thicker in the area of the injury. Nails take an entire year to return to the regular shape and smoothness after
an injury.
Most health professionals consider fingernails to be a protection for the sensitive tissues beneath the nails. They enhance the
sensation of the fingertips. The fingertips allow us to receive a lot of information about objects we touch. The nails provide us
with even more sensory input when an object is held between the thumb and the nail of an opposing finger.
Fingernails are used for picking up objects, grasping, gripping, scratching, peeling, pinching, and tweezing. They signify the
health of the person and can attract or repel others. Problems with the color, shape and condition of the nails indicate various
physical ailments.
Speed of Nail Growth
Nails grow an average of one-tenth of an inch per month. This means it takes approximately six months to grow from the cuticle
to the tip. Growth rate is affected by age, amount of exercise, heredity, and season of the year. Nails usually grow faster in the
summer than in the winter. Nails tend to grow faster on the dominant hand.
The longer the digit (finger or toe), the faster the nail grows. That is why fingernails require 3 to 6 months to regrow completely
while toenails take from 12 to 18 months.
If you injure a nail, there is a 21-day delay before it starts to regrow. It takes about 100 days for the speed of growth to normalize.
The nail will grow thicker in the area of the injury. Nails take an entire year to return to the regular shape and smoothness after
an injury.
Nail biting has been described as the habit of biting one’s fingernails or toenails during periods of nervousness, stress or
boredom. The clinical name for habitual nail biting is chronic onychophagia. Occasionally, onychophagia may involve an
underlying obsessive-compulsive disorder. Most often, however, nail biting presents without any accompanying psychiatric
components. Even in this less serious situation, the habit can still cause physical damage and emotional or social distress.
Since there is no way of predicting which child will develop accompanying symptoms, it is prudent to eliminate oral habits while
the child is still young. Growing The Nails was developed to respond to parents’ requests for a kinder method that doesn’t
involve negative means to bring about a change in a child’s behavior. Growing The Nails does this by providing a child-parent
“team approach.”
Some studies make a distinction between mild forms and severe forms of nail biting. They take into consideration the intensity,
frequency and duration of the habit. How powerfully is the nail being held between the teeth and what type of biting is
occurring? How strongly is the child biting on the nail or sides of the fingers? How often is the child indulging in this noxious
oral habit? How long has the habit been going on? How long does an average occurrence last? The following consequences
will vary from person to person, depending upon the answers to the above questions as well as factors of heredity and
environment.
Consequences
boredom. The clinical name for habitual nail biting is chronic onychophagia. Occasionally, onychophagia may involve an
underlying obsessive-compulsive disorder. Most often, however, nail biting presents without any accompanying psychiatric
components. Even in this less serious situation, the habit can still cause physical damage and emotional or social distress.
Since there is no way of predicting which child will develop accompanying symptoms, it is prudent to eliminate oral habits while
the child is still young. Growing The Nails was developed to respond to parents’ requests for a kinder method that doesn’t
involve negative means to bring about a change in a child’s behavior. Growing The Nails does this by providing a child-parent
“team approach.”
Some studies make a distinction between mild forms and severe forms of nail biting. They take into consideration the intensity,
frequency and duration of the habit. How powerfully is the nail being held between the teeth and what type of biting is
occurring? How strongly is the child biting on the nail or sides of the fingers? How often is the child indulging in this noxious
oral habit? How long has the habit been going on? How long does an average occurrence last? The following consequences
will vary from person to person, depending upon the answers to the above questions as well as factors of heredity and
environment.
Consequences